Thousands of Canadian lakes, rivers and streams will no longer be protected by the federal government, including several waterways held sacred and culturally important to aboriginals in Wood Buffalo.

The Conservatives’ omnibus bill overhauls the Navigable Waters Protection Act, which says federal approval is required for development that may affect the thousands of bodies of water crisscrossing Canada.

Under the new legislation, only 97 lakes, the three oceans and 62 creeks, rivers and canals will be protected. However, waterways that Aboriginals in northeastern Alberta deem “culturally significant” will no longer be protected.

Lake Athabasca and the Athabasca River will continue to be protected. However, hundreds of streams, rivers and tributaries in the region, such as the Muskeg River, will not.

In an area that has attracted every major oil company in the world, several aboriginal leaders and elders in the region say the lack of federal oversight could seriously harm their culture.

“This is just another bill that removes protection of our lands from corporate industry and greed,” says Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. “All these smaller rivers and lakes are connected and feed the Athabasca River and the lake. They will be affected by what happens here.”

Adam says traditional hunting and fishing grounds, plus several wildlife species deemed culturally significant, depend on the region’s water purity.

The federal government argues that the changes will streamline regulation and remove red tape blocking various industrial projects. Laws that allow Aboriginals to practice traditional hunting and fishing, such as the Aboriginal Fisheries Act will also remain untouched.

Opposition parties are not convinced, and have accused the government of absolving itself of any environmental responsibility by removing oversight.

With the federal government now transferring responsibility to local governments, Adam feels there are now fewer barriers protecting his traditional lifestyle.

“The erosion of our people’s Treaty rights and our territories is just non-stop,” he said. “Harper is not looking out for the best interests of Canada’s citizens or First Nations and aboriginals. He’s certainly never consulted us.”

Fred Fraser, president of the Fort Chipewyan Métis Local 125, echoed Adam’s sentiments.

“Any tampering of water leading into the Athabasca River will definitely affect us in some way,” he said. “Those smaller rivers and streams keep the larger Athabasca going. They provide a place for the fish that we catch to spawn and the wildlife we hunt drink from it.”

For the Métis, as well as the Dené and Cree, the outdoors is not just a hobby, says Fraser, but a way of life.

Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP Brian Jean voted in favour of the amendments, but was unavailable for comment. Both Adam and Fraser say Jean did not consult with them or their communities prior to voting.

“We, all aboriginals and all First Nations, just want to be consulted,” said Adam. “Not even the MP here will sit down and do that.”

In Ottawa, the 457-page piece of legislation – which was passed on Tuesday – was fiercely resisted by opposition parties and environmentalists. When the bill was approved and passed along to the Senate, the Conservatives had allowed none of the amendments offered by the NDP to pass.

Shortly before the vote took place, approximately 50 First Nations chiefs from Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan briefly met with Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, accusing the government of dishonouring its consultation commitments.

When Oliver left, a scuffle between the chiefs and security staff erupted as the aboriginal leaders tried forcing their way onto the floor of the House of Commons. After less than a minute, the group dispersed. No charges were laid.